Title: Analyze linear and cyclical approaches to life cycles of common technological products.
Course: Sustainability and Renewable Technologies (21053) > Section: Evaluating Sustainable Practices

Analysis should include

- describing linear (i.e., cradle-to-grave) and cyclical (i.e., cradle-to-cradle) lifelines of products and materials
- defining
  - linear lifecycle–considers the product or material from the time of acquisition to disposal.
  - cyclical lifecycle–considers the product or material from the time of its acquisition to its being reused, remanufactured, and/or recycled.

Examples of products to analyze may include oil, water, soil, compost, biological waste, cell phones, tennis shoes, tires, product containers, and refrigerators.

Teacher Resources:

- Video: The Story of Stuff, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&t=73s)
- William McDonough: Cradle to cradle design | TED Talk, (https://www.ted.com/talks/william_mcdonough_cradle_to_cradle_design)

Process/Skill Questions:

- How does the cradle-to-grave approach handle the end-of-life stage of a product?
- How does the cradle-to-cradle approach change the cradle-to-grave approach?
- What are the environmental benefits of a cradle-to-cradle product life-cycle?
- What is remanufacturing?
- How can a given product be redesigned to become reusable?
- Why is it important to think about a product's life cycle?
- What is more economically efficient for a business, a linear or cyclical approach?